Greetings! In an ever evolving world the Kniestedt Foundation understands the need to diversify our services to ensure we meet the needs of all veterans. We are proud to announce our new partnership with the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s study abroad program in Peru. The Kniestedt Foundation will be offering their financial assistance to veterans of the United States military that wish to apply to attend this 24 day experience. While in Peru, the students will have the opportunity to explore the history, art and architecture of the region alongside experienced Peru explorers and UTRGV scholars and faculty members Dr. Robert Bradley and Dr. Katherine McAllen. Their journey will feature vigorous hikes tracing the footsteps of the ancient Andeans in the Inca Empire, including hiking passes to Salkantay mountain, the trail to Machu Picchu, and the trek to the imperial Inca site of Choquequirao.

Please take a few moments to to explore the links below to discover the personal accounts of students who have attended in the past and transformed their lives on these trips. We hope their stories encourage you to join us in support of these brave men and women as they embark on the next chapter of their life, exploring a rugged and beautiful countryside.


Art students experience Peru as a living classroom UTRGV students studying high above the world in Peru Bobs Honors College Chancellor McRaven’s nod to our program among others Pictures: the gentleman in the last photo in the “we will aspire” T-shirt is a veteran from Afghanistan, who was just accepted into a PhD program at UT Dallas under Bob Bradley’s guidance and support